The Spanish Football Federation have called for elections to be made on April 9 in an official statement. In a statement published on Friday by the RFEF, it read that elections would take place in two months time to replace Miguel Angel Villar, who went to prison earlier this year. 67-year-old Villar has been the head of Spain’s soccer federation since 1988, playing a part in the national team’s victories in the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. Villar is accused of charges related to improper…

La Liga president Javier Tebas has demanded justice and the truth as the match-fixing case involving Real Zaragoza and Levante enters the courts once more. It has been one of Spanish football’s longest running scandals, but it is coming to end as prosecutors have reopened an investigation into Levante’s match with Real Zaragoza in 2011. The game saw Zaragoza remain in La Liga with a 2-1 win at the Ciutat de Valencia, with Levante already safe, but it is alleged that a number of players had a big hand in…

Espanyol have seemingly given up trying to keep hold of young defender Aaron Martin, after plenty of interest from a number of European clubs. Manchester United, Napoli and Manchester City have all been labelled with interest in the young Spaniard, who has featured for Quique Sanchez Flores’ side on 22 occasions in the league this term. Diario Sport reported earlier this month that Los Periquitos rejected a number of bids in January, with a firm offer coming from Red Bull Leipzig, whilst Man City were close in signing the youngster….

Real Betis striker Ruben Castro could be heading back to China this month, according to a report in ABC de Sevilla. The 36-year-old enjoyed a four month spell with Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng after leaving Betis last summer, but later returned to Spain in the January transfer window, making his return to the Betis first team. Castro, who is a fan favourite at the Benito Villamarin, has started just one game since returning to the club, making three more appearances from the bench, scoring once from the penalty spot. His return…

The Spanish FA (RFEF) have opened an investigation into Gerard Pique’s celebration for Barcelona against Espanyol earlier this month. After controversially saying that Espanyol are not from Cornella, it was fitting that Pique would be the man to pop up with a late equaliser against Barcelona’s Catalan rivals two weeks ago. His header leveled the score after Gerard Moreno’s opener, and he celebrated wildly indicating to the home fans at the RCDE Stadium to be quiet after a barrage of abuse throughout the game. Espanyol fans have spent many of the…

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has emphasised the importance of the Europa League in his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Copenhagen on Thursday evening. Atleti travel to the Parken Arena on Thursday evening, having been eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages. A poor run in Europe’s main competition came to an end before the turn of the year, before their third place standing saw them enter the Europa League; a competition they have had much success in, winning it on two occasions. Whilst Simeone’s side are fully focused…

Real Sociedad boss Eusebio Sacristan is looking to repay the club’s fans after the 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid at the weekend. The Basque side were thumped at the Santiago Bernabeu by Zinedine Zidane’s side and have now won just one of their last six La Liga games. Heavy pressure is now on the shoulders of the former Barcelona B coach, whilst the Europa League is their only real hope of success this season, sitting 14th in the league standings. Much like rivals Athletic Club, who are also in poor…

Athletic Club boss Jose Angel Ziganda has discussed his side’s failings this season, claiming he and his players are in full belief they can do better. The Basque side approach Thursday evening’s Europa League tie with Russian side Spartak Moscow in relatively poor form, having not won a game since the 7th of January. Having been held to a dull 0-0 draw with Las Palmas at the weekend; Athletic are now under increasing pressure but Wednesday’s game could act as a good escape from their league troubles. “We have a…